Wire termination block construction

ABSTRACT

A wire termination block construction is provided wherein various components thereof may be readily extruded and interfitted so as to form a block of desired length and configuration.

United States Patent MacKenzie, Jr.

[ 1 June 13, 1972 [54] WIRE TERMINATION BLOCK CONSTRUCTION Joseph H. MacKenzie, Jr., 431 Prairie Avenue, Wilmette, 111. 60091 [22] Filed: Jan. 27, 1971 [21] App1.No.: 110,080

[72] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. ..339/198 H [51] Int. Cl ..H0lr 9/00 [58] Field of Search ..339/l98, 206, 119, 17;

317/101 DH, 101 CC, 122

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,564,485 2/1971 Cull et a] ..339/198 .1

3,112,147 11/1963 Pferd et al. ....339/9' 7 3,343,120 9/1967 Whiting ..339/l9 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIOPIS 1,185,685 l/1965 Germany... ..339/l98 H 66,587 9/1913 Germany... ...339/198 G 1,465,871 4/1969 Germany ....339/198 R 1,128,209 9/1968 Great Britain ..339/198 Primary ExaminerMarvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Hafer Attorney-Pendleton, Neuman, Williams & Anderson 1 ABSTRACT A wire termination block construction is provided wherein various components thereof may be readily extruded and interfitted so as to form a block of desired length and configuration.

5 Claims, 9 Drawing figures PATENTEDM 13 m2 3,670,298

sum 2 or 2 FIG.6

FIG.9

INVENTOR i JOSEPH H. MAC KENZ/E JR. BYM ,WW, $144M ATTORNEYS WIRE TERMINATION BLOCK CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION susceptible to breakage; b) because of normally being of molded construction, the length of the block is restricted to predetermined relatively short lengths; c) a substantial inventory of various block designs was required; and d) interchangeability of various components of the blocks could not be readily accomplished.

SUMMARY OF .THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a wire termination block construction which is not beset with the aforenoted shortcomings.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a termination block construction wherein various component parts thereof are extrusions and certain of said parts may be readily substituted with other extruded parts so that a wide variety of block configurations can be obtained.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a termination block construction which is compatible to fully automatic assembly thereon of the connector or terminal pins.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a termination block construction wherein a wide variety of block configurations can be produced with a minimum number of tools and dies.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a termination block construction which is possessed of great versatility, is not susceptible to breakage, and affords good grounding whenrequired.

Further and additional objects will be apparent from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a wire termination block construction is provided which includes an elongated web member on which a plurality of terminal pins are mounted. The pins project outwardly from opposite sides of the web member. The elongated edges of the web member are provided with locking means components. Elongated flange members are also provided which have complemental locking means components in interlocking engagement with the locking means components of said web member. The web and flange members are coextensive with one another.

DESCRIPTION For a more complete understanding of the invention reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective end view of one form of Y the improved block construction.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end elevational view of the block construction of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views of one of the terminal pins included in the block construction of FIGS. 1 and 2 and showing the manner of assembling the pin on the web member of the block construction.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary perspective end views of various modified flange members which are extrusions and may be substituted for those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective end view of one form of extruded spacer which may be utilized where certain block constructions are arranged in superposed relation so as to form a module of termination blocks.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are fragmentary end views of various forms of termination block modules.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, one form of the improved wire termination block 10 is shown which is adapted to facilitate the orderly interconnection of a plurality of wires as might be required at a telephone communication station. Block 10 may be utilized in a structural assembly such as disclosed in my copending application entitled "Frame and Wire Termination Block Assembly" filed on even date herewith.

Block 10, as illustrated, comprises three basic parts: an elongated web member 11 on which is mounted a plurality of terminal posts or pins 12, and a pair of elongated flange members 13 and 14 positioned on the opposite elongated edges of the web member. The web member 11, prior to the terminal pins being mounted thereon, and the flange members 13 and 14 are extrusions and may be formed of metal, plastics, or the like. The lengths of the web and flange members are coextensive and will be determined by the location and manner in which the block is intended to be used.

Web member 11 is provided with a planar relatively thin center portion 11a and the opposite elongated edges 11b are each shaped to form a locking component. In the illustrated embodiment, the edges are shaped as tenons, see FIG. 2. The web member is initially extruded and subsequent thereto, the center portion 11a is perforated by any suitable means. The arrangement of the perforations 110 may take various forms and will depend upon the types of interconnections to be made. In the block 10, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the web member 11 is extruded from a metallic material so as to provide an effective ground and the perforations 11c are preferably arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel rows (e.g. 10 rows of terminal pins each). The individual rows may be lettered or otherwise identified and segments of the center portion of the web member may be defined by grid lines G or the like marked on the exposed surface of the center portion, see FIG. 1.

The perforations fonning adjacent rows may be transversely aligned or arranged in staggered relation. Each perforation is preferably uniformly sized so as to accommodate the terminal pin 12. Each pin 12, in the illustrated embodiment, is of like construction and includes an insulator sleeve 15 having a collar 15a formed at one end which is impassable with respect to the perforation 110. The opposite end of the sleeve is sized to snugly fit within the perforation. The leading end of the sleeve may be rounded or tapered slightly so as to facilitate insertion of the sleeve into the perforation. Snugly positioned within the sleeve 15 is a rodlike metallic element 16 which projects outwardly a substantially like amount from opposite ends of the sleeve. The projecting end portions 16a and b of the element 16 provide the connecting terminals for the block. The central portion 160 of the element is shaped to conform substantially to the configuration of the sleeve bore 15b. One end of the bore, disposed at the collar end of the sleeve is countersunk and is adapted to accommodate a toroidal protuberance 16d formed at the juncture of the end portion 16b and center portion 16c of the element 16, see FIGS. 3 and 4. The terminal pin 12 may be pre-assembled before being positioned in the perforation or the element 16 assembled with the sleeve 15 subsequent to the latter being inserted into the perforation. In either instance the mounting of the terminal pins 12 on the center portion 11a of the web member 11 may be readily performed by high speed, automatic or semi-automatic equipment.

Once the terminal pin 12 has been mounted on the web member center portion 11a, the outwardly projecting end portions 16a and b may be bent upwardly or downwardly relative to portion 160. As seen in FIG. 4, both element end portions have been bent upwardly a like amount; however, if desired, the end portions may assume various other relative positions. In the block 10, shown in FIG. 1, all the end portions or 16b of the terminal pins 12 disposed to one side of the web member 11 extend in the same angular direction. The angular disposition of the terminal pin end portions facilitates manual connecting and disconnecting of wire ends from the pins when the block is utilized in a structure as disclosed in my aforesaid copending application.

The flange members 13 and 14 may be the same or of different configuration or in certain instances, only one flange member might be used. In any case, the flange members to be hereafter described, are extrusions and may be formed of metal, plastic, or other suitable material.

Member 13, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a center section 13a which is provided with a locking means component in the form of an elongated pocket 13b, which is shaped to ac commodate the tenon 11b of the web member 11. Interfitting of the tenon in the pocket is accomplished only by relative endwise movement of the web and flange members. Extending laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the center section 13a are winglike sections 130. The sections 13c, in the illustrated embodiment, are disposed in 180 relation and are at right angles with respect to the center portion 11a of the web member. If desired, and subsequent to member 13 being extruded, the winglike sections 13c thereof may be perforated so as to form a plurality of perforations 13d arranged in one or more rows, see FIGS. 1 and 2. The perforations 13d enable jumper wires or the like to readily pass through the section rather than over it. Furthermore, the perforations 13d enable groups of jumper wires to be segregated from one another when desired.

Flange member 14 is similar to flange member 13 in that it is provided with a center section 140 in which is formed an elongated pocket 14b for accommodating the tenon 11b formed on the opposite elongated edge of the web member 11. Extending divergently outwardly from opposite sides of the center section 14a is a pair of winglike sections 140. The extent to which each section 14c projects from the center section 140 and the angle of projection is substantially the same as that of the adjacent end portions 16a or b of the terminal pins 12 mounted on the web member 11. winglike sections 14c serve as guards for the rows of terminal pins adjacent thereto.

FIG. shows a modified flange member 17 which is an extrusion and is of substantially the same construction as member 13, except only one winglike section 170 projects outwardly from section 17a in which is formed the elongated pocket 17b. The section 170 may be perforated, if desired, like each section 13c of member 13.

FIG. 6 shows a second modified flange member 18 which is an extrusion and is similar in design to that of two members 13 placed back to back. In member 18, the center section 180 thereof is provided with two oppositely facing pockets 18b. Each pocket is of like configuration and is adapted to accommodate the tenon 11b of the web member 11. As seen in FIG. 8, member 18 serves as a connector between a pair of web members 11 arranged in superposed edge-to-edge relation. Several web members may be interconnected by a plurality of members 18 thereby forming a block module M which may extend from the floor to ceiling in the room wherein it is to be located. A pair of members 17, see FIG. 5, may be utilized to secure the module M to the floor and ceiling.

Extending laterally in opposite directions from center section 18a are winglike sections 18c which provide re-enforcement for the module M and also serve to separate the terminal pins of one web member from those of the adjacent web member.

FIG. 7 illustrates one form of a spacer 20 which is an extrusion and is adapted primarily for use in a module M construction, as shown in FIG. 9. The cross-sectional configuration of the spacer, in the illustrated embodiment, is hexagonal and is adapted to snugly fit between a pair of inverted flange members 14, see FIG. 9. The members 14, as shown in FIG. 9, are

secured to adjoining web members 11, the latter being in vertically aligned relation. Spacer 20 may be provided with a center bore 20a which serves a dual function: a) provides a conduit for wiring et al., and b) reduces the overall weight of the spacer itself.

Because of the exterior design of the spacer 20, it will serve to prevent lateral displacement of one web member with respect to the others. If desired, the winglike sections of the flange members 14 may be secured to the spacer by screws or other suitable fasteners.

In both module constructions M and M, the height thereof may vary and the web members comprising said modules may have mounted thereon appropriate terminal pins 12, of the type previously described, or in instances certain web members may be slotted or imperforated.

The shapes and sizes of the extruded block components may vary widely from those illustrated. Furthermore, in certain instances, the locking means components may be reversed, that is to say; a pocket might be formed along the opposite elongated edges of the web members and the tenons formed on the flange members. Furthermore, the flange members may be coated with rubber or the like, so as to eliminate any possibility of abrasion and consequent shorting out of the wires that are inserted through openings formed in said flange members. In any case, it is apparent that the improved block construction is of extremely simple design, is versatile, and can be readily assembled or disassembled. Relatively few tools and dies are required to form the various components and the interchangeability of the various components enables blocks and modules to be custom-fit to a particular job.

I claim:

1. A wire termination block of composite construction comprising an elongated extruded web member, said web member having a center portion and opposite elongated edges, each edge having a locking means component disposed therealong, a plurality of terminal pins mounted transversely on but insulated from said web member and projecting from opposite sides thereof, and an elongated extruded flange member provided with a complemental locking means component, the locking means components of said flange and web members being movable endwise relative to one another into interlocking relation; said web and flange members being substantially coextensive.

2. The wire termination block of claim 1 wherein said flange member comprises an elongated central portion provided with said complemental locking means component, and a pair of elongated end portions projecting divergently outwardly from said central portion.

3. The wire termination block of claim 2 including a second wire termination block of like construction and disposed in side-by-side relation with respect to said first block whereby the pair of end portions of the flange member of one block is in superposed abutting relation with the pair of end portions of the flange member of the second block; and an elongated spacer piece disposed intermediate the first and second blocks and substantially encompassed by the abutting end portions of the flange members of said blocks.

4. The wire termination block of claim 1 wherein one locking means component is an elongated tenon and the other locking means component is an elongated pocket, said tenon being movable only endwise of said pocket.

5. The wire termination block of claim 4 wherein said web member has elongated tenons formed on the opposite elongated edges thereof, and two flange members are provided having elongated pockets formed therein; said tenons and pockets being movable relative to one another into interlocking relation. 

1. A wire termination block of composite construction comprising an elongated extruded web member, said web member having a center portion and opposite elongated edges, each edge having a locking means component disposed therealong, a plurality of terminal pins mounted transversely on but insulated from said web member and projecting from opposite sides thereof, and an elongated extruded flange member provided with a complemental locking means component, the locking means components of said flange and web members being movable endwise relative to one another into interlocking relation; said web and flange members being substantially coextensive.
 2. The wire termination block of claim 1 wherein said flange member comprises an elongated central portion provided with said complemental locking means component, and a pair of elongated end portions projecting divergently outwardly from said central portion.
 3. The wire termination block of claim 2 including a second wire termination block of like construction and disposed in side-by-side relation with respect to said first block whereby the pair of end portions of the flange member of one block is in superposed abutting relation with the pair of end portions of the flange member of the second block; and an elongated spacer piece disposed intermediate the first and second blocks and sUbstantially encompassed by the abutting end portions of the flange members of said blocks.
 4. The wire termination block of claim 1 wherein one locking means component is an elongated tenon and the other locking means component is an elongated pocket, said tenon being movable only endwise of said pocket.
 5. The wire termination block of claim 4 wherein said web member has elongated tenons formed on the opposite elongated edges thereof, and two flange members are provided having elongated pockets formed therein; said tenons and pockets being movable relative to one another into interlocking relation. 